Rolex Paris Masters: “One day, I will have a great tournament here”, ambitious Carlos Alcaraz

Already a double winner of Roland-Garros, Carlos Alcaraz is less successful at the Rolex Paris Masters. Mild understatement. In five appearances, the Spaniard has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals. For his first at Nanterre last season, he even fell from a height, eliminated from the start by Cameron Norrie. At a press conference, the 23-year-old prodigy tried to explain these missed meetings. “It's a bit strange, considering what I've done in other tournaments. I have played well here at times... Is there a particular reason for that? I'm not sure. Some years I arrived without feeling 100%, especially mentally. Other years I felt good, I really wanted to be here and play at my best, I was excited to play in this tournament, and then I ended up losing in the first or second round without playing well. So there is no particular reason. I am convinced that one day I will have a great tournament here, that I will find the sensations that I am looking for. And it will happen sooner rather than later. »

To be honest, I don't have very good memories of it.

Alcaraz, about his defeat against Hugo Gaston

The Murcian remains particularly marked by his defeat in the round of 16 against Hugo Gaston, in 2021. “To be honest, I don't have very good memories of it. It was a difficult time for me. I would say it was the first time I really felt outside pressure. I'm not going to say that the spectators were right or wrong. They supported their player, which is normal. But the lesson I learned from it was not to respond to the crowd, to stay focused on myself and what was happening on the court. And to try not to let that support, that energy, affect my game or get to me mentally. I remember this match very well in 2021: I felt the pressure, I suffered the blow and it was difficult. But I learned a lot from it and it made me grow a lot. »

It's a tournament in which I really want to shine one day.

Carlos Alcaraz

Since then, Alcaraz has grown up. Quickly, very quickly. Becoming world number one in 2022, at the age of 19, he notably won seven Grand Slam titles. His 2026 season, however, is less prolific than the previous two. Betrayed by his physique, the Spaniard was away from the courts from the end of April to the end of August due to a wrist injury. But he seems to have regained his momentum. Impressive at the ATP 500 in Vienna, where he did not concede a single set, Alcaraz won his fourth title of the year on Sunday, after the Australian Open, Doha and Beijing. “Obviously, winning brings a lot of confidence. And, to be honest, this is a tournament in which I really want to shine one day. So I arrive this week with the title in Vienna, having accumulated experience, rhythm and confidence. I just hope to produce very good tennis and play at a very high level this week. I am excited and looking forward to playing my first match. » His first opponent, Alex Michelsen, is warned.